We've been wanting to have Solar Power for a long time. I've spent many weekends researching, several weekdays interviewing different companies and taking bids. After the research, I determined this was way more than a weekend DIY project that I could handle given the complexity and size of the setup I wanted. I initially planned this for the money savings #weekend-engagement challenge. I couldn't quite pull it together before the submission deadline, but here it is for your enjoyment anyway. I know a few others have shown interest in Solar energy in the past.
We finally pulled the trigger on contracting and permits a few weeks ago, and began the prep this weekend to complete the install. The system we installed includes not just the Solar Panels, but also the Battery backup system to provide power during the frequent storm outages here in Florida. (See tech specs below).
We initially planned to install the batteries in the garage. I spent a few hours this weekend cleaning up a place for them out of the weather but that didn't pan out. It seems they take up much more space than we initially planned. I was initially expecting only two of these battery units, not four.
Also found out they are very heavy (~150 lbs each), and the installer stated could not mount them to drywall/wood studs without additional supports etc. This meant we couldn't put them in the garage next to the furnace as planned. So instead, the installer mounted the batteries, ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) and breakers/cutoff to external concrete block walls.
Once finished, they looked better, but still some ugly conduit that will need to be painted to appease the HOA. Sounds like another weekend project! 
The 32 panels all came on a single pallet. 
The Enphase Batteries and ATS switch came on second pallet. These were both dropped off by delivery truck about 15 minutes after the installer crew arrived.
First, they installed the rails and attached them to the roof. Then they started adding panels and attaching the connectors.
Here is a close up of the rails and individual micro-inverters under the panels. Each panel has it's own micro-inverter to send the power, and allows for individual tracking of each panels performance.
A normal solar supplement system probably could have stopped here. But with our heavier usage of pool filter, Electric Car, backup batteries, AC use in the Summer, and multi-day backup capability, we needed to upgrade to the larger number of panels. Even at this size, it can't handle the main 4 ton AC unit, only the smaller unit on the Master bedroom/bath side of the house.
Here is a drone Hyperlapse video of the panel install. It's a bit choppy due to the settings, (I'm a bit out of practice), but you can get the general idea.
Overall, it took them about 6-7 hours start to finish. Most of that time was the battery installation and wiring. The frame and panels only took the crew of three about 3-4 hours.
I wanted a system large enough to not only power the entire house including the Electric Car and bicycle, pool filter, and still have enough overage to sell back to the power company. I also wanted the battery backup to power the AC and other critical appliances during power outages.
We had a propane generator back in Vermont for power outages that was fantastic. Here in Florida, they wanted over $20K for the generator and we would have needed to add a larger propane tank as well. We decided to invest the money in Solar instead. Especially given the current tax benefits.
We are able to reclaim 30% of the Solar cost from Federal tax incentives, and also gain some local power company and state incentives as well.
This will actually not only pay for itself over time, but the monthly payment for the system will now be a consistent payment somewhere between $50 and $300 less per month than our normal electric bills, so this will theoretically be saving us money right off the bat per month in the high usage months, and even more if we produce "extra" electric and/or payoff the loan early for interest reduction. This also provides a static cost vs. the inevitable cost increases that the power company will be charging in several years.
General rule of thumb payback for initial Solar investment payback is about 8 years in Florida, while most systems now are guaranteed to last 25 years. For us, given the additional savings on the vehicle and pool power costs, I'm guessing we'll shave a couple more years or more off of that time.
The power company here pays back full retail credit for any Solar you provide back to them vs daily usage. The amount of energy provided is deducted from the monthly bill or credited toward a future bill in that calendar year. Then at the end of the year, they pay a check for any overage amounts. There are limits though, here in Florida, they limit the size of residential systems to 115% of what your annual utilization is, and have a max of 2,000 kW.
There are of course interconnect agreements, insurance requirements, applications and permits etc. both from the power company and from the Home Owners Association (HOA). It's all quite complex and I'm very happy that the contracted company handled all of the applications, permits, etc. as part of the service.
Florida net-metering Tiering system:
Tier 1 = (up to 10 kW)
Tier 2 = (>10 kW up to 100 kW)
Tier 3 = (>100 kW up to 2,000 kW)
Tech Details:
System Size = 13.44 kW DC
Panels = QTron M-G2+420 (32 Panels, 420 Watts each)
Inverters = IQ8M-72-2 (240V)
AC rated power output = 10.56 kWh AC
Estimated First Year Production
17,914 kWh
Battery Backup = Enphase 20.16 kWh system (2 IQ Battery 10T)
Battery capacity = 20.2 kWh
Operating power = 7.68 kW
Additional Benefits:
Some of the features of this system are that the panels each have their own inverter. This way if an inverter fails, the whole system isn't down like with a combined inverter system, only the single panel until replaced.
One of my favorite features of this Enphase product is the advanced technical configuration in the app. Having a battery backup allows me to not only store energy for outage, but allows me to put the system into "Savings" mode. In this mode it actually pulls energy gathered during the day from the batteries at night to power the house. This can help reduce grid usage during some of those peak usage high cost times in the evening, and then power the house AND recharge the batteries during the day.
To offset the risk of having uncharged batteries during an outage, it also has what is called "storm mode". This mode monitors weather announcements for upcoming storms and puts the batteries into 100% charge mode to prepare, just in case there is outage. Smart, smart.
The battery backup is theoretically enough to run the entire household for 2-3 days/nights, maybe longer if sunny days allow for daytime charging/power.
I've had this draft going for a couple days now. I was hoping to post some pics of the system in action. Apparently there are yet more hoops to jump through. Even though it's all wired up, they couldn't turn it on (and I can't paint) until both the city and the Power Company inspectors come out to approve and then install new bi-directional meter. That could take another 2-4 weeks to complete. Arrgghhh... I hate red tape and politics. This should still get it up and running before the 3 hottest months here which starts in July.
Anyway Looks like I'll be having some additional weekends before I can produce any stats from the app.